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Five arrested over suspected illegal working at London security firm
24 October 2012
Our officers have arrested 5 people as part of an investigation into suspected illegal working at a security firm.
Raids were carried out at addresses in south east London on Thursday 18 October, including Blue Feathers Guarding Ltd, based in Veridion Way, Erith.
The operation was carried out by our criminal and financial investigation team, in conjunction with the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Residential addresses in Floathaven Way, Thamesmead, and Sandpiper Close, Greenhithe, were also searched.
The 5 detained included Nigerian men aged 44, 49 and 52; and a Zimbabwean woman and man aged 32 and 34.
All were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to help, apart from the 52-year-old who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud and illegal immigration.
Four of them were also arrested for SIA offences, as they were found engaging in licensable conduct without holding an SIA licence. The 4th person is suspected of employing unlicensed guards.
All have been bailed to return for various dates between 20 November and 4 December 2012.
Rachel Bennett, whose team led the operation, UK Border Agency said:
'This was a successful operation. With the help of partners like the Security Industry Authority we are determined to do whatever is necessary to investigate alleged abuses of our immigration system.'
Our South London criminal and financial investigation team is a specialist unit of police officers seconded from the Metropolitan Police working alongside our warranted officers to investigate organised immigration crime.
Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit the Preventing illegal working section, or they can call the UK Border Agency's Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.